MLB Player News

Helsley allowed four earned runs on two hits, two walks and a wild pitch over just one-third of an inning in a loss to the Reds on Sunday.

Sunday's nightmarish outing, which saw Helsley get just 12 of 26 pitches into the strike zone, was in contrast to a one-inning scoreless appearance Opening Day when he worked around three hits. The fact he's been very hittable over the first two outings is a bit concerning, however, considering Helsley also allowed a hit per inning in spring training and pitched to a 5.25 ERA while posting unsightly 6.0 BB/9 and 2.3 HR/9 ratios across his 12 appearances last season.

Kimbrel recorded his first save of the season, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning Sunday against the Pirates.

Kimbrel entered in the ninth inning for his first save opportunity of the year and retired all three batters he faced. The Cubs have Kimbrel set up to receive the majority of save situations this season. The veteran reliever was shaky in 2020 and will have to close games more consistently, as he did Sunday, in order to keep his role.

Hoffman (1-0) allowed one run on three hits over five innings in a win over the Cardinals on Sunday. He struck out six and did not issue a walk.

Hoffman, who had a 9.28 ERA in 16 appearances out of the Rockies' bullpen last season, turned in a gem in his first start in a Reds uniform. He filled up the strike zone and was effective before running into a bit of trouble in his final frame. The right-hander was lifted after 77 pitches and manager David Bell will likely continue to have a short hook when Hoffman is on the mound given the 28-year-old's career third-time-through-the-order numbers. Up next is a road start in Arizona.

Devenski allowed a run on one hit and struck out one to pick up the save in Sunday's 3-1 win over San Diego.

Perceived closer Joakim Soria came on to start the eighth inning and exited early with a calf injury, so what was a murky closer situation prior to Sunday became even less clear following the game. It would appear a group of Devenski, Kevin Ginkel, who closed out the eighth inning, and Stefan Crichton could get work in the final third of games.

Kimbrel pitched a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to record the save in Sunday's win over the Pirates.

Kimbrel picked up his first save of 2021 and recorded his second consecutive scoreless outing to begin the season. It's a good start for the veteran reliever, who posted a 5.28 ERA last year and a 6.53 ERA in 2019. Fantasy managers will want to see Kimbrel string together a few more good appearances to really feel confident, but he's got fantasy value as long as he has the closer role in Chicago and is pitching well.

Neris was credited with the save after tossing a scoreless inning Sunday against the Braves. He walked two and struck out one.

Neris has made three appearances already this season and has yet to allow a run while fanning five. His two walks created a stressful situation, as the Phillies were holding a one-run lead in the ninth, but the veteran right-hander eventually closed the door to earn his first save of the campaign.

Alvarado (1-0) tossed a scoreless inning and struck out two in Sunday's win against the Braves.

Alvarado tossed an eventful inning in his previous appearance -- he allowed three baserunners and fanned three of the six batters he faced -- but looked far more dominant this time around, tossing eight of his 10 pitches for strikes and making quick work of the Braves in the eighth inning. This was an encouraging outing for the talented but inconsistent lefty.

Martin said he was pulled early in his appearance Sunday in Atlanta's 2-1 loss to Philadelphia after he experienced a tingling sensation in his fingers, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports

Atlanta team trainers will presumably conduct more follow-up tests on Martin before providing a firm diagnosis of his injury. He recorded two outs and gave up a run on three hits before exiting Sunday.

Martin was removed from his appearance in the eighth inning of Sunday's game against the Phillies with an apparent injury, Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Martin retired two of the six batters he faced before departing, giving up an earned run on three hits. Atlanta has yet to provide an official explanation for his removal.

Hicks fired a perfect seventh inning in a loss to the Reds on Saturday. He did not record a strikeout.

Hicks required just 13 pitches to get his three outs, an encouraging display of efficiency in his first taste of regular-season game action since June 2019. Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports no ball hit off Hicks was harder than 72 mph, and adds that the right-hander's four-seamer and sinker averaged 97.5 mph and 98.1 mph, respectively, during his one inning.